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The combination of two unique features—Extended range 121 km, and four-branch receiverdiversity—gives almost immediaterural coverage at the lowest possible cost.The RBS 2206 also comes with two newcombiners—the CDU-F and CDU-G—which when compared to the combiners ofthe RBS 2202, increase output power by1 dB. Obviously, increased output powerimplies greater site-to-site distance. Thus,compared to the RBS 2202, networks builtwith the RBS 2206 require approximately15% fewer sites (Figure 4).The CDU-G combiner can be configuredin either capacity or coverage mode. In coveragemode, its output power is increased by3 dB to 35 W, making it ideal for rural sitesor roll-outs where speed or cost is a key factor.Because it is fully compatible withEricsson's RBS 2202, the RBS 2206 canquickly and easily be implemented in present-daynetworks. The RBS 2206 will becomecommercially available during thefirst quarter of 2001. EDGE functionalitywill be introduced a few months later. Theplug-in WTRU will be offered for deploymentin 2002.ConclusionThe RBS 2206 gives operators flexible entryinto the world of third-generation systems.Having the same footprint as the RBS 2202but double the capacity, the RBS 2206 freesup 50% of the cabinet space currently occupiedat base station sites. Operators canuse this extra space to install a thirdgenerationbase station; for example, theWCDMA macro-base station/RBS 3202.The RBS 2206 is fully prepared for EDGEand WCDMA. To add WCDMA functionality,operators need only plug in aWCDMA transceiver unit and remote radiounit. Thus, because major site investmentscan be reused, the RBS 2206 gives operatorsrapid, low-cost roll-out of a thirdgenerationnetwork.Figure 3The RBS 2206 can be expanded to supportWCDMA using a plug-in WTRU andremote radio unit.Figure 4The increased site-to-site distance affordedby the CDU-F combiner means thatcomparedto the RBS 2202—networksbuilt with the RBS 2206 require approximately15% fewer sites.Ericsson Review No. 2, 2000